Tour firm offers riding holidays in Namibia

Holidaymakers in Africa can now add a Namibian riding experience to their itinerary.

Riding holiday specialists Ranch Rider is adding Namibia to its Africa program, with riding safaris ranging from three to 11-nights.

While riders will encounter challenging terrain, shorter mobile camping holidays are available for beginners, and the tour operator will also organize add-on self-drives.

Ranch Rider managing director Tony Daly said the nation offered vast open plains, colourful sand dunes and isolated mountains, making tourists feel as if they are trailing across truly uncharted territory.

“Based on landscapes alone, the country is one huge melting pot of adventure, but it’s what we don’t expect that makes these rides one for the out-and-out explorer.

“Elephant, rhino and leopard are just some of the wildlife encountered on these horseback journeys, the remote backdrops making any animal sighting unforgettable.”

Guests can choose from a range of mounts, including, Arab, Trakehner, Halfinger, and ranch horses.

The rides cover 10 to 50 miles a day, with tourists spending six to eight hours in the saddle.

The safaris range from desert rides covering the Gondwana Sperrgebiet Rand Park to an exploration of Damaraland, one of Namibia’s most scenic regions.

Others options include a 10 or 11-night ride across the Namib Desert, a 10-night Greater Fish Canyon ride and 6-night Southern Namib Lodge ride, the latter said to incorporate some of the most scenic landscapes in the world.